Gerry McCaffertyDeputy Director, Office of Housing

Springfield, MA

February 2008

A little background . . .

Springfield released plan in January 2007 Mayor and business community Hired June 2006 to write plan & oversee

implementation Background: legal services housing attorney 28-member community implementation

committee Regional plan to be released this month

Initial Goal Make housing opportunities available

quickly (get results to build support)

Existing units and subsidies first Production later

Time lagNeed to develop capacity

Finding the housing Springfield Housing Authority

17-unit federally-subsidized public housing building

Scattered-site state-subsidized public housing units, rolling model

100 Project-based vouchers, with private landlords

Finding the housing, cont.

City of Springfield HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Rapid ReHouse (First month’s rent & security deposit)

CDBG/Community Development Block Grant (mod rehab)

Regional Sources of Housing

Public housing authorities Regional housing authority HOME Consortium

ENGAGING HOUSING PROVIDERS/FUNDERS

Self-interest Political pressure The power of a plan The power of success

SELF-INTEREST:Marble Street Apartments

Under-utilized units Problem property Homeless Families + on-site services

90% decrease in arrests61% decrease in “reportable incidents”

POLITICAL PRESSURE:Project-Based Voucher Program

Executive Director said yes; Board of Commissioners skittish

Mayor influence on Board of Commissioners

Agency role is more than just a landlord

THE POWER OF A PLAN:HOME & CDBG funds

1. Rapid ReHouse○ 10-Year Plan called for Rapid ReHouse; no funding

source identified in plan○ Rapid ReHouse an allowable HOME expense

2. Youth Aging Out○ Public Hearing proposal conformed with plan goals○ Immediate interest in funding

THE POWER OF SUCCESS:Regional REACH

REACH = City/State model for supportive housing

City provides HOME funds for vouchers; state funds services

Proven success makes argument for regional expansion

Where to start? Know what’s in the plans

10-year planAction plan

Influence what’s in the plansBe at the tableHearings & comment periodsSpecific requests: sources & usesHow can local resources be used?

Meet the players:city housing staff & phas

Informational at first Emphasize common goals/issues Where are they going? Understand their problems What can you bring to the table?

Pilot Programs

Strong design, research-driven Collaboration Start small, collect data Show results Justify increases Take to scale

What’s the role of advocacy organizations?

Find a solution Be specific Show expected results (research!) Partner with entities that provide the

solution

If at first you don’t succeed…

Use your power: Plan

Research Political Pressure

Whose problem is this?